British pro cyclist Alex Dowsett will attempt to break the UCI Hour Record timed by TISSOT at the Aguascalientes Velodrome, Mexico, on Wednesday, November 3, 2021.
Dowsett has severe haemophilia A and is the only known elite sportsperson with the condition to compete in an able-bodied field. He takes on the attempt in support of his charity Little Bleeders and The Haemophilia Society.
At the Aguascalientes Velodrome in Mexico Dowsett will have to cover more than 55.089 km in an hour to beat the current record. The 33-year-old rider, who won stage eight of the Giro d’Italia in 2020, broke the UCI Hour Record on May 2, 2015, but lost it 36 days later to Sir Bradley Wiggins.
Since then, there have been three more attempts to capture the record, regarded as one of the most gruelling physical endurance challenges in indoor cycling. Belgian Victor Campenaerts, succeeded when he landed the title on April 16, 2019, breaking the 55km mark at the same venue where the British rider’s attempt will take place.
Dowsett, who rides for UCI WorldTeam Israel Start-Up Nation, said “When I took the record in 2015, we rode enough to break the record but I knew I had more in the tank at the end, which was frustrating given the work put in by everyone.
“Last year’s attempt was derailed when I contracted Covid-19 but the same reasons for wanting to do it are all still there. I want to see what I’m capable of and it’s an event I just really love and feel privileged to have the opportunity to take on again.
“In terms of difficulty I know the bar has been set extremely high by Victor. It’s going to be a very big ask but I think I’m capable. The biggest hurdle this time with it being in Mexico will be the altitude. Being at altitude the power output required will be lower than at sea level because of the thin air, but it’s not all plain sailing as the thin air also brings a tougher environment for breathing. We think in the end it should be beneficial rather than detrimental to be at altitude.”
Dowsett has been following a training schedule to prepare him for the rigours of the event, which will be streamed live online around the world. The plan includes spending time in a wind tunnel to test the aerodynamic properties of his bike and the skinsuit he will wear on the day.
In 2016, Dowsett created a charity, Little Bleeders, to introduce safe sport and activity to young haemophiliacs with a mission to support and empower families to make good choices that promote physical activity and overall well-being.
As a rare disease, there are approximately 3,000 young people in the UK living with haemophilia. Dowsett, from Chelmsford in Essex, said: “Often the smaller, rare medical conditions are left behind and the success that haemophilia has had in the last couple of decades should be celebrated.
“This is my small way of trying to bring awareness to the haemophilia community, as well as hopefully inspiring a generation of haemophiliacs to reconsider their limitations and what’s possible with what was once a very debilitating condition.”
Kate Burt, Chief Executive at The Haemophilia Society, said “We are proud to be partnering with Little Bleeders in this exciting and challenging record attempt which will showcase the quality of life you can enjoy with haemophilia and inspire our community. The society and the community we support wish Alex the best of luck.”
Owen Marks, Head of Rare Diseases for Pfizer UK, said “We are proud to be supporting Little Bleeders and Alex’s world record attempt. It’s an important opportunity to raise awareness of haemophilia and highlight how you can live with the condition and achieve incredible breakthroughs.
We wish Alex good luck and have no doubt he will inspire many others to achieve their goals.”
Alex Dowsett’s attempt at the UCI Hour Record Timed by TISSOT is supported by Pfizer Limited, Hammerhead and UCI World Tour Team Israel Start Up Nation. Through this attempt, Alex Dowsett will promote Little Bleeders and The Haemophilia Society.
As part of its commitment to the event, Hammerhead will be providing a limited-edition Karoo 2 head unit (cycling computer) with a custom-painted shell to be auctioned in aid of charity.
List of attempts made on the men’s UCI Hour Record timed by Tissot (successful attempts in bold):
- 16.04.2019: Victor Campenaerts (BEL), Velodromo Bicentenario, Aguascalientes (MEX), 55.089 km
- 22.08.2018: Dion Beukeboom (NED), Velodromo Bicentenario, Aguascalientes (MEX), 52.757 km
- 26.07.2018: Martin Toft Madsen (DEN), Velodromo Bicentenario, Aguascalientes (MEX), 53.630 km
- 07.06.2015: Bradley Wiggins (GBR), Lee Valley VeloPark, London (GBR), 54.526 km
- 02.05.2015: Alex Dowsett (GBR), National Cycling Centre, Manchester (GBR), 52.937 km
- 14.03.2015: Gustav Larsson (SWE), National Cycling Centre, Manchester (GBR), 50.016 km
- 25.02.2015: Thomas Dekker (NED), Velodromo Bicentenario, Aguascalientes (MEX), 52.221 km
- 08.02.2015: Rohan Dennis (AUS), Velodrome Suisse, Grenchen (SUI), 52.491 km
- 31.01.2015: Jack Bobridge (AUS), Darebin International Sports Centre, Melbourne (AUS), 51.300 km
- 30.10.2014: Matthias Brändle (AUT), UCI World Cycling Centre, Aigle (SUI), 51.852 km
- 18.09.2014: Jens Voigt (GER), Velodrome Suisse, Grenchen (SUI), 51.110 km
